Few MMA fighters have had success as boxers beyond fighting in entry-level matchups or against opponents from similar backgrounds. Nate Diaz, a fearsome MMA striker, lost to Jake Paul in his boxing debut. UFC great Anderson Silva edged faded former middleweight titleholder Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr – but later fell to the YouTuber Paul himself. Conor McGregor, near the peak of his considerable MMA powers, was dismantled by a 40-year-old Floyd Mayweather Jnr inside the ring. Former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou, before being folded by Anthony Joshua in two rounds, enjoyed moments in his boxing debut against then-heavyweight champion Tyson Fury – whom he knocked down with a left hook – but Fury went on to sneak by with a contentious split decision. Ngannou, however, hasn’t competed in boxing since his limitations were exposed by Joshua in fight two.
